Solar Panels and Storage Permits Decided at Aldermen Meeting

Solar panels and special use permits were the big topics at Thursday’s Board of Aldermen meeting.

While the big story was the Board’s for Exit 6 Pub and Brewery, there were other items on the agenda at the  the elicited debate.

Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hutsler presented a request to purchase solar panels for the roof of during the Board’s 5 p.m. work session. The city had received a grant of $170,000 from the Department of Energy to purchase a solar energy system.

The catch: the deal had to be completed by early March to receive the federal funding. To get the money, the board had to approve the item in the work session and vote on it at the meeting later that night.

The quick turnaround did not sit well with several members of the Board. Jerry Hollingsworth, Ward 2, didn’t like being put on the spot.

“This is last minute,” Hollingsworth said. “… I have a problem with that.”

Along with the rushed process, there was an issue with the bidding process. Initially the Department of Energy approved a 24-kilowatt system for $170,000. When the bidding went out, the low bid came from Vision Electric and Systems in St. Charles. The bid was $118,700. Hutsler asked how many kilowatts the city could get for $170,000. Vision Electric said it could install a 35-kilowatt system for $169,000.

Hutsler then got approval from the Department of Energy for a 35-kilowatt system and did a re-bid. Kaiser Electric in Fenton bid the project at $168,230.

Both Kaiser Electric and Vision Electric and Systems are capable of install the Solyndra roof-mounted Photovoltaic System that can be constructed without damaging the roof. The system, which is low to the ground and is designed in such a way that wind flows through the panels, doesn’t need to make holes in the roof to mount—critical in maintaining the roof warranty.

Hutsler suggested taking the low bid from Kaiser, but the Board was unsure if it was low enough to pass up the St. Charles-based Vision Electric.

The Board, not wanting to let the grant go to waste, wanted to get the decision tonight. City Administrator William Charnisky suggested the Board grant him power to make a deal on his own. The Board agreed.

At the meeting following the work session, Charnisky was instructed by the Board to go back to the six bidders and ask how restart the project with a $170,000 spending limit. Charnisky is authorized to negotiate, execute and administer said contract on behalf of the city of St. Peters

JMO Holdings, owners of, presented the other special use permit of the night. Owners James and Michelle Otto

Neighbors around the storage facility were worried about noise, upkeep and appearance of the trailers. The Planning and Zoning Commission of the permit based on a lack of security on the premises.

The owners were confused about the security claim. They said it wasn’t brought up until the end of the February Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. They presented a case again to the Board of Aldermen requesting permission to turn the parking spaces into rental spaces. Michelle Otto said she believed the decision was a biased.

During the presentation, Michelle Otto mentioned that the lot has been used for years to store trailers, including a trailer for Disabled Athlete Sports Association. 

Hollingsworth said the whole point of the permit is to get legal permission to do something Spencer Road Storage has done in the past and something the owners have done since the owners took over in August of 2010.

“You’ve glossed over that like it’s no big deal,” Hollingsworth said.

The Board voted 6-1 to deny the permit request. Gus Elliott, Ward 3, was the lone vote in favor of the permit. Dave Thomas recused himself for the vote on the advice of his lawyers. He didn’t sit in on any discussion or on the vote.

• The Board approved a resolution declaring the 2005 taxes uncollectible by an 8-0 vote.
• With another 8-0 vote, the Board approved the changing of the road Premier Parkway South to just Premier Parkway. Road work has eliminated Premier Parkway North.
• The Board approved with an 8-0 vote the Water Well Field Improvement Project. The Board granted Charnisky to amend an agreement with Black and Veatch to provide additional professional services for the project.
• All other new business passed 8-0.